Gun mount



T. c. DU B015 May 22, 1951 GUN MOUNT Filed July 29, 1947 is go //v VENTOE THOMAS 6. 40 B01;

TRNEY elevation ring.

Patented May 22, 1951 UNITED STATES PAT NT OFFICE GUN MOUNT Thomas C. du Bois, Sewell, N. J.

Application July 29, 1947, Serial No. 764,335

' 8 Claims.

The present invention relates to mounts of the gim-bal type for guns and similar devices.

I two-axis gun mounts now in use there are two axes of rotation, azimuth and elevation. In mounts of this type when the gun barrel is raised or'depressed (for elevation) it creates an angle between the azimuth tracking gear and the elevation tracking gear, so that when the gun is rotated in azimuth, the barrel of the gun becomes the generatrix of a cone. Since this cone can be tangent-to a straight line at only one point, for every degree of traverse in azimuth, an error is introduced in elevation. This error mustbe constantly compensated for throughout every degree of turn in azimuth. Further, on a two-axis gun mount, the target is located by swinging the gun in azimuth and raising it in elevation until. it is on target. After the gun is on target and the target moves while tracking in azimuth, the gun willbegin to swing in a circle away from the line of direction of flight. To bring thegunback on target, a continuous compensation for elevation must be maintained.

Geometric description I In the present gun mount three axes of rotation .are provided.

The first axis of rotation is the axis of the cylindrical shaped bore which will be referred to hereafter as the leveling axis.

The second axis of rotation isa linedrawn perpendicular to and intersecting the leveling axis at the balance of the gun, this is termed the azimuth axis.

, .Withthe intersection of these two perpendicular axes as a center, a circle is circumscribed about two axes, the circumference of which forms the elevation ring. The azimuth axis poles are diametrically housed in this circumference, and the azimuth axis becomes a diameter of the The third axis of rotation is'on a diameter of the elevation ring drawn perpendicular to the azimuth axis, this is the elevation axis, therefore as the azimuth axis is rotated, the leveling axis rotates in the plane of the meridian of a great circle that has the elevation axis forits diameter and poles. All of the traversing of the-gun-barrel in azimuth is in the meridian of thegreat circle formedby the elevation axis pole andthe leveling axes poles A second circle is circumscribed with the intersection of the leveling axisgtheiazimuth axis, the leveling axis, and the centerfo tionsring. 1a its center. The inside jdifameteraof' this ring formed by its circumference is greater than the outside diameter of the elevation ring, this is the leveling ring.

The poles of the elevation axis are housed in the leveling ring and diametrically opposite each other through the center of the elevation ring.

A third circle is circumscribed with the intersection of the leveling axis, the azimuth axis, the leveling axis, and the centers of the elevation ring and leveling ring as its center. The inside of this ring may or may not be greater than the outside diameter of the elevation ring, but it must be free to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise in the plane of the leveling ring. This is the fixed ring and it is locked into position by the poles of one of its diameters.

From this geometric description it will be noted that the leveling axis, the azimuth axis, the elevation axis, the elevation ring, leveling ring and the fixed ring may be rotated clockwise or counterclockwise 360 degrees in any direction, therefore the gun barrel in the present gun mount is free to rotate 360 degrees in any direction,' providing neither the length of the barrel or receiver, or any other part of the gun is longer from the centers of rotation than the inside diameters of the elevation ring, the leveling ring, or the fixed ring.

For all practical purposes, the gun barrel and receiver will be greater than the radii of any of these rings, so that the traverse will be limited to a little less than 180 degrees in azimuth or in elevation.

A gun cradle must be constructed to bracket the gun so that the leveling axis intersects the azimuth axis at right angles to each other and that this point of intersection at the axis shall beequi-distant from all corresponding pol-es, axis, ringsand corresponding parts of thegun mount.

The .gun cradle ofthe present gun mount is connected to the elevation ring by the azimuth pivots which are the two poles. of the azimuth axis.

The two pivots which areto pole as the eleva tion axis joins the elevatingring to the leveling ring.

The leveling ring is mounted on the fixed rin by three pulley type rollers spaced degrees apart.

Theoretically, this gun mount-is comprised of the segments of four concentricri ll, 15, 2t, and 34. The inside and outside diar'neterof 25, being greater. than 34, the insideidiameter and outside, diameter of l5, greaterth 2i, and the insidefnd goutside diameter of'i eater than .15... Wvvhe. ;a11. concentricgringsgar ithe sam proximately 120 degrees apart, revolve around i the fixed ring II, and rotate in the plane of II. I'hus the ring 34 is free to rotate clockwise or counter-clockwise 360 degrees within the ring 26, and 25 may rotate 360 degrees clockwise or counter-clockwise in the ring I5, and I5 may rotate 360 degrees clockwise or counter-clockwise in the plane of ring II. Ring II, being an adjustable ring may be rotated in its prolonged diameter but is fixed in position while firing. The gun is mounted in the center of ring 34 so that the line formed by the prolonged cross-section of the bore is perpendicular to the plane of the ring I I. At zero degrees elevation or depression, rings II, I5, 26 and 34 are in the same plane and the gun barrel is perpendicular to the plane of II, I5, 23 and 34. Since the ring 34 is connected to 26, and 26 to I5, if the gun barrel is rotated as an axis ring, 34 will turn 26, I5 will turn I5, which will revolve on ring II.

It is an object of the present invention to pro vide a straight line traversing gun mount.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a gun mount that will eliminate thecone of fire efiect present in existing mounts.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of a gun mount that predetermines the line of direction of flight of the target.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of a gun mount that makes it unnecessary to level the mount prior to firing.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of a gun mount having three axes of rotation.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of a gun mount in which two of the axes of rotation establish the plane of the line of direction of flight of the target.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of a gun mount having a third axis that tracks the target alon the line of direction of flight.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of a gun mount that may be mounted in a horizontal or vertical position or adjusted and fixedly secured at any angle of degree between the horizontal and vertical positions.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of a gun mount in which any one axis, azimuth, elevation, or leveling axis may be rotated without causing either of the other two axes to move or turn.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of a gun mount in which any two of the axis may be rotated without causing either of the other two axes to move or turn, or any two axes may be moved or turned at will without imparting any movement to the third axis.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of a gun mount in which all three axes may be turned at any degree or speed at the same time.

A still further object of the present invention is the-provisionof a gun mount in which all the is the provision of a gun mount in which any rotation in azimuth is in the plane of the elevation axis.

Other and more specific objects of the present invention will become apparent as the description of an illustrative form of device made in accordance with the present invention proceeds, having reference to the accompanying drawing, where- Figure 1 is a front elevational view of th gun mount per se, the gun being omitted.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows, portions being shown in section taken on line 2-2.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the gun mount with a gun positioned therein and mounted on supports.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary enlarged view of one of the leveling rings and illustrating the slidable mounting of one of the .rollers under spring ten- SlOIl.

Figure 5 is a plan view of one of the blocks in the gun cradle.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral I represents the gun mount and it comprises a ring I I having brackets I2 that may be integral with the ring, or they may be separated and spot welded to the ring, and they are adapted to engage supports !3 and are secured to the supports by bolts I4.

Mounted upon the ring II is a pair of leveling rings I that are held in fixed and spaced relation by spacer blocks I6 that are diametrically opposite each other and they are secured to the blocks I6 by bolts IT. The blocks I6 are provided with pintle receiving bores I8. 7

Interposed between the leveling rings I5 are a plurality of pulley-type leveling ring rollers I9 that are mounted on axles that are in spaced relation of approximately 120. The ends 2I of one of the axles 2D are'mounted in slots 22 in the leveling rings I5. To the ends 2| of one of the axles 29 there is secured one end of springs 23, the opposite end 24 of the springs 23 being secured to studs 25'that are anchored in the leveling rings I5. With this mounting it can be seen that there is provided a flexible spring action to one of the rollers I9 that prevents binding of the leveling rings I5 to the ring I I.

Within the leveling rings I5 there is an elevating ring 26 of metal, that may be solid or laminated as shown in the drawing, the laminations 21, 28 and 29 being secured together by rivets or bolts 30. The elevating ring 26 is provided with pintles 3| and pintle bores 32, the ends of the pintle 3| engaging the pintle bores I8, thus providing an axis of rotation. for the elevating ring 26.

Within the elevating ring 26 there is mounted transversely a gun cradle 33 that comprises a pair of strap bars 34 that are in spaced relation, the ends of the strap bars being secured to discs 35 by any suitable means. The discs 35 are each provided with a pintle 36 that engage the pintle bores 32 in the elevating rin 26. Mounted to the inside faces of the strap bars 34 and secured thereto by bolts 31 are substantially T-shaped blocks 38 having a depending portion 39 and apertures 40. The bolts 3? in addition to securing the blocks, look a gun 4I having a rear sight 42 between the blocks and the strap bars 34.

From the above description it can be seen that the rings I5 .can be rotatedion the ringyI'I in a clockwise .or counterclockwise -.,direction. at will.

I i a ing-.2 midi-tattl indemount ns and three a plane.

rings I5 can be axially rotated with respect to the rings I5, and the gun cradle 33 with the gun 4| can be moved with respect to the ring 26 due to the pintle mounting.

In the operation of the device, the brackets I 2 of the ring II are secured to the supports I3 by the bolts M. in a horizontal position to the uprights, or in any degree between a horizontal and a vertical position. As shown in Figure 3 the ring II is positioned to the supports l3 in approximately a vertical position.

In theory, two points determine a straight line, The first point corresponds to the center of rotation of the gun mount. The second point is the first observed position of a target when the gun is raised or depressed in elevation. The third point is determined from any future position of the target in relation to the cross hair of the rear sight. If the elevation axis in the leveling ring are level (corresponding to the cross hair of the rear sight) with the line of flight of the target, the gun will track in a straight line. If it is evident that the cross hair and the target's line of flight are diverging, the spade grips of the gun are rotated until the cross hair coincides with the targets line of flight. This gun mount will then track the target until the line of direction of flight is changed. At any observed point where the line of direction of flight of the target is changed, a simple rotating movement of the gun itself is suflicient to cause the lines of flight and tracking to again coincide.

While the present invention has been disclosed in connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that these are by way of example rather than by way of limitation and that the invention is to be defined by the attendant claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A gun mount comprising a frame having oppositely disposed pivots, and means for fixedly mounting a gun at its middle so that it is held substantially at its center of gravity and extends normally to said frame with its vertical axial plane including the pivot axis, and further provided with a gimbal ring having supports for said pivots diametrically positioned therein. and pintles extending diametrically outwardly in a direction normal to said pivots, whereby the gun may be adjusted for elevation during the tracking operation by movement of said gimbal ring on said pivots.

2. A gun mount comprising a frame having oppositely disposed pivots, and means for fixedly mounting a gun at its middle so that it extends normally to said frame with its vertical axial plane including the pivot axis, a gimbal ring having supports for said pivots diametrically positioned therein, and pintles extending diametrically outwardly in a direction normal to said The ring Il may be locked pivots, a support for said pintles :adjustably may be swunginto the plane of the target track, so that lateral tracking is possible with adjustment for change in relative elevation of the target by moving the gimbal ring on its pintles.

3. A gun mount as defined in claim 2 wherein, a circular concentric rail for annularly adjustably supporting said second ring for rotation about its axis, said concentric rail mounted on horizontally extending diametrically opposed shafts adjustably fixed in base supports, whereby said rail may be held rigidly in a plane at any deviation from the vertical.

4. A gun mount as defined in claim 3, wherein said second ring is provided with three rollers annularl spaced and riding on the circular rail for annular adjustment of said second ring on said circular rail.

5. A gun mount as defined in claim 4, wherein the uppermost roller is resiliently biased in a slotted bearing in said second ring against said circular rail to prevent binding and excessive clearance during said annular adjustment.

6. A gun mount as defined in claim 5 wherein said rollers ride on the inside of said circular rail, and one of said rollers is resiliently biased outwardly in a slotted bearing in said second ring to prevent binding and excessive clearance during said annular adjustment.

'7. A gun mount as defined in claim 6, wherein said concentric rail is mounted on horizontally extending diametrically opposed bearings adjustably fixed in base supports whereby said rail may be held rigidly in a plane at any suitable deviation from the vertical.

8. A gun mount having a frame with oppositely disposed pivots in a line perpendicular to the bore of the gun, a second frame member supporting said pivots and in turn provided with second pivots in a line perpendicular to and intersecting the line of said first named pivots, said second frame member mounted by its pivots on a ring member mounted for unrestricted rotation in a plane including the line of said second pivots, whereby the gun may be traversed about said first line of pivots, elevated about said second line of pivots, and the plane of traverse about said first line of pivots may be rotated by movement of said ring member.

THOMAS C. no 3018.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,113,143 Sanders Apr. 5, 1938 2,148,515 Taylor Feb. 28, 1939 2,178,291 Steuerlein Oct. 31, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 790,418 France Sept. 9, 1935 631,288 Germany June 1'7, 1936 483,847 Great Britain Feb. 15, 1937 361,243 Italy July 16, 1938 513,338 Great Britain Oct. 10, 1939 857,251 France Apr. 15, 1940 

